Chapter 41
International disputes: source of friction between Spain and the UK
Climate: Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers
Terrain: a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: limited natural freshwater resources, so large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rain water natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA
Geographic note: strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
People ------
Population: 28,765 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 20% (male 3,109; female 2,728) 15-64 years: 66% (male 10,668; female 8,292) 65 years and over: 14% (male 1,582; female 2,386) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.54% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.94 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.73 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.29 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female all ages: 1.15 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.83 years male: 74.5 years female: 81.31 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.26 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Gibraltarian(s) adjective: Gibraltar
Ethnic divisions: Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, Spanish
Religions: Roman Catholic 74%, Protestant 11% (Church of England 8%, other 3%), Muslim 8%, Jewish 2%, none or other 5% (1981)
Languages: English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian
Literacy: NA
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gibraltar
Data code: GI
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Gibraltar
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Commonwealth Day (second Monday of March)
Constitution: 30 May 1969
Legal system: English law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, plus other UK subjects resident six months or more
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor and Commander in Chief Field Marshal Sir John CHAPPLE (since NA March 1993) head of government: Chief Minister Joe BOSSANO (since 25 March 1988) was appointed by the governor Gibraltar Council: advises the governor cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed from the elected members of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultation with the chief minister
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly: elections last held 16 January 1992 (next to be held NA January 1996); results - SL 73.3%, SD 20.2%, NP 4.7%, independents 1.8%; seats - (18 total, 15 elected) SL 8, SD 7
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party (SL), Joe BOSSANO; Gibraltar Labor Party/Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights (GCL/AACR), leader Adolfo CANEPA; Gibraltar Social Democrats (SD), Peter CARUANA; Gibraltar National Party (NP), Joe GARCIA
Other political or pressure groups: Housewives Association; Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization
International organization participation: Interpol (subbureau)
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band
Economy -------
Economic overview: Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade and offshore banking. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 11% to the local economy. The financial sector accounts for 15% of GDP; tourism, shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. Because more than 70% of the economy is in the public sector, changes in government spending have a major impact on the level of employment.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $205 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $6,600 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) note: UK military establishments and civil government employ nearly 50% of the labor force
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $116 million expenditures: $124 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992-93)
Industries: tourism, banking and finance, construction, commerce; support to large UK naval and air bases; tobacco, mineral waters, beer, canned fish
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 47,000 kW production: 90 million kWh consumption per capita: 2,539 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: none
Exports: $57 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: (principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8% partners: UK, Morocco, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, US, FRG
Imports: $420 million (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs partners: UK, Spain, Japan, Netherlands
External debt: $318 million (1987)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Gibraltar pound (LG) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Gibraltar pounds (LG) per US$1 - 0.6535 (January 1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991); note - the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation --------------
Railways: total: NA km; 1.000-m gauge system in dockyard area only
Highways: total: 49.9 km (including 12.9 km public highways) paved: 49.9 km unpaved: 0 km
Pipelines: none
Ports: Gibraltar
Merchant marine: total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 357,730 GRT/635,769 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, container 1, oil tanker 13 (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 19,529 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities domestic: automatic exchange facilities international: radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 4
Televisions: NA
Defense -------
Branches: British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Glorioso Islands ----------------
(possession of France)
Map ---
Location: 11 30 S, 47 20 E -- Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar
Flag ----
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography ---------
Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 11 30 S, 47 20 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total area: 5 sq km land area: 5 sq km comparative area: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 35.2 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Madagascar
Climate: tropical
Terrain: NA lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 12 m
Natural resources: guano, coconuts
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: periodic cyclones international agreements: NA
People ------
Population: uninhabited
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Glorioso Islands local long form: none local short form: Iles Glorieuses
Data code: GO
Type of government: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion
Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion
Independence: none (possession of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy -------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation --------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: total: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Defense -------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Greece ------
Map ---
Location: 39 00 N, 22 00 E -- Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey
Flag ----
Description: nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country
Geography ---------
Location: Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 22 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total area: 131,940 sq km land area: 130,800 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Alabama
Land boundaries: total: 1,210 km border countries: Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 228 km
Coastline: 13,676 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 6 nm
International disputes: complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Turkey in Aegean Sea; Cyprus question; dispute with The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over name; border demarcation with Albania, the treatment of Albania's ethnic Greek minority, and migrant Albanian workers in Greece remain unresolved issues
Climate: temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain: mostly mountains with ranges extending into sea as peninsulas or chains of islands lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Olympus 2,917 m
Natural resources: bauxite, lignite, magnesite, petroleum, marble
Land use: arable land: 23% permanent crops: 8% meadows and pastures: 40% forest and woodland: 20% other: 9%
Irrigated land: 11,900 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment: current issues: air pollution; water pollution natural hazards: severe earthquakes international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Desertification
Geographic note: strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands
People ------
Population: 10,538,594 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 16% (male 899,029; female 837,308) 15-64 years: 68% (male 3,571,918; female 3,542,556) 65 years and over: 16% (male 736,818; female 950,965) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.42% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 9.78 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.53 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.1 years male: 75.6 years female: 80.78 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Greek(s) adjective: Greek
Ethnic divisions: Greek 98%, other 2% note: the Greek Government states there are no ethnic divisions in ======================================================================
@Greenland ---------
(part of the Danish realm)
Map ---
Location: 72 00 N, 40 00 W -- Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada
Flag ----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white
Geography ---------
Location: Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada
Geographic coordinates: 72 00 N, 40 00 W
Map references: Arctic Region
Area: total area: 2,175,600 sq km land area: 383,600 sq km (ice free) comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of Texas
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 44,087 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters
Terrain: flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunnbjorn 3,700 m
Natural resources: zinc, lead, iron ore, coal, molybdenum, cryolite, uranium, fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 0% other: 99%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island international agreements: NA
Geographic note: dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast
People ------
Population: 58,203 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 27% (male 7,871; female 7,723) 15-64 years: 68% (male 21,755; female 17,961) 65 years and over: 5% (male 1,307; female 1,586) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 17.06 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.11 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.21 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female all ages: 1.13 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 23.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.24 years male: 63.97 years female: 72.53 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.22 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Greenlander(s) adjective: Greenlandic
Ethnic divisions: Greenlander 86% (Eskimos and Greenland-born whites), Danish 14%
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran
Languages: Eskimo dialects, Danish
Literacy: NA
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Greenland local long form: none local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat
Data code: GL
Type of government: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division
Capital: Nuuk (Godthab)
Administrative divisions: 3 municipalities (kommuner, singular - kommun); Nordgronland, Ostgronland, Vestgronland
Independence: none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division)
National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system: Danish
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (of Denmark since 14 January 1972), a constitutional monarch, is represented by High Commissioner Steen SPORE (since NA 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Lars Emil JOHANSEN (since 15 March 1991) was elected by the Landsting cabinet: Landsstyre is formed from the Landsting on basis of strength of parties
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Landsting): election last held on 4 March 1995 (next to be held NA 5 March 1999); results - Siumut 38.5%, Inuit Ataqatigiit 20.3%, Atassut Party 29.7%; seats - (31 total) Siumut 12, Atassut Party 10, Inuit Ataqatigiit 6, conservative splinter grouping 2, independent 1 Danish Folketing: election last held on 21 September 1994 (next to be held by NA September 1998); Greenland elects two representatives to the Folketing; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) Liberals 1, Social Democrats 1; note - Greenlandic representatives are affiliated with Danish political parties
Judicial branch: High Court (Landsret)
Political parties and leaders: two-party ruling coalition; Siumut (Forward Party, a moderate socialist party that advocates more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark), Lars Emil JOHANSEN, chairman; Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) (Eskimo Brotherhood, a Marxist-Leninist party that favors complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule), Josef MOTZFELDT; Atassut Party (Solidarity, a more conservative party that favors continuing close relations with Denmark), Daniel SKIFTE; Akulliit Party, Bjarne KREUTZMANN; Issituup (Polar Party), Nicolai HEINRICH
Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white
Economy -------
Economic overview: Greenland's economic situation at present is difficult. Unemployment is increasing, and prospects for economic growth in the immediate future are dim. Following the closing of the Black Angel lead and zinc mine in 1989, Greenland became almost completely dependent on fishing and fish processing, the sector accounting for 95% of exports. Prospects for fisheries are not bright, as the important shrimp catches will at best stabilize and cod catches have dropped. Resumption of mining and hydrocarbon activities is not around the corner, thus leaving only tourism with some potential for the near future. The public sector, i.e., the central government and its commercial entities and the municipalities, plays a dominant role in Greenland, accounting for about two-thirds of total employment. About half the government's revenues come from grants from the Danish Government, an important supplement of GDP.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $892 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $15,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 22,800
Unemployment rate: 6.6% (1993 est.)
Budget: revenues: $667 million expenditures: $635 million, including capital expenditures of $103.8 million (1993 est.)
Industries: fish processing (mainly shrimp), lead, zinc, handicrafts, small shipyards
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 84,000 kW production: 210 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,361 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: forage crops, small garden vegetables; sheep; 1988 fish catch of 133,500 metric tons
Exports: $330.5 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: fish and fish products 95% partners: Denmark 79%, Benelux 9%, Germany 5%
Imports: $369.6 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: manufactured goods 28%, machinery and transport equipment 24%, food and live animals 12.4%, petroleum products 12% partners: Denmark 65%, Norway 8.8%, US 4.6%, Germany 3.8%, Japan 3.8%, Sweden 2.4%
External debt: $297.1 million (1993)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: substantial annual subsidy from Denmark
Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 5.652 (January 1996), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation --------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 150 km paved: 60 km unpaved: 90 km
Ports: Faeringehavn, Frederikshaab, Holsteinsborg, Nanortalik, Narsaq, Nuuk (Godthaab), Sondre Stromfjord
Merchant marine: total: 1 short-sea passenger (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,162 GRT/610 DWT (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 8 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 17,900 (1984 est.)
Telephone system: adequate domestic and international service provided by cables and microwave radio relay domestic: microwave radio relay international: 2 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 7 (repeaters 35), shortwave 0
Radios: 23,000 (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (repeaters 9)
Televisions: 12,000 (1991 est.)
Defense -------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark
======================================================================
@Grenada -------
Map ---
Location: 12 07 N, 61 40 W -- Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Flag ----
Description: a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side) with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative divisions
Geography ---------
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 12 07 N, 61 40 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total area: 340 sq km land area: 340 sq km comparative area: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 121 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds
Terrain: volcanic in origin with central mountains lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m
Natural resources: timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors
Land use: arable land: 15% permanent crops: 26% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 9% other: 47%
Irrigated land: NA sq km